What we're about
Welcome, Active Outdoors Fans!
The Denver Trail Heads is a group for people with a wide array of interests in the outdoors. We will be hiking, snowshoeing, camping, cross country skiing, etc. Occasionally you will see a backpack or camping trip or an overnight at one of the many Forest Service cabins.
Our goal is to provide a safe, fun environment for ALL to enjoy outdoor activities, regardless of:
• Age
• Gender
• National Origin
• Race
• Religion
• Sexual Orientation
To date, we have hosted over 2,200 events. These trips were all made possible by our organizers. We work hard to organize trips and make them fun for you. The tone of an event is set by the organizer. Hiking speed, number of breaks, fitness level required, picture taking, dog-friendly, etc. Sometimes it is not as much the location or type of event, but who is running it that will determine if it is the event for you. More information about our organizers can be found here.
If you have an idea for a trip or you are interested in becoming an organizer, please let Paul and Bernard know. We are always looking for qualified organizers to help out!
Please RSVP yes only if you definitely plan to come. If you change your mind, please update your RSVP.
By joining this group you agree to the policies and terms of the group. The policies and terms can be found here.
We do not charge members a fee to join the group. However, donations are appreciated.
NOTE TO SOLICITORS; This is not a philanthropic, or marketing organization. Please do not contact us for such purposes.
Upcoming events (4+)
MAXWELL FALLS (Lower Trailhead)
Due to the recent rain in the area, Maxwell Falls is a great hike to get away from the city. This is a great early summer hike.
Difficulty: Moderate - about 4.2 miles with about 875 feet elevation gain. Trail may be muddy in spots due to recent rains. We may take a different trail back (slightly longer) that has good scenic overlooks.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: Maxwell Falls is a picturesque Colorado waterfall within a very scenic, peaceful location. The trail is shady, often alongside Maxwell Creek. The trail does have a fair amount of incline, but overall it's not a difficult hike.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, rain gear just in case, sunscreen, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.
Address/Directions: We will meet at the Maxwell Falls LOWER Trailhead. I-70 and travel west to exit #252, Evergreen Parkway (Hwy 74) for 7.6 miles to the center of Evergreen where Highway 74 and Highway 73 meet. Turn right onto Highway 73 and drive about .9 of a mile to Brook Forest Road and turn right. Take Brook Forest Road for 3.5 miles to the trail head at LOWER MAXWELL FALLS. This is an easy parking lot to miss; there is not a sign on Brook Forest Road indicating the parking lot, therefore make note of your mileage as you turn onto Brook Forest Road and drive 3.5 miles; the parking lot & trail head are on the left or south side of the road. If you miss this trail head, you will see a very large dam in the river shortly up the road that you cannot miss; if you reach this dam, turn around and go back just a few tenths of a mile to the trail head. The parking lot is small, there are no bathrooms, and there is a small overflow lot just past the main parking lot, if it's full.
- Skip
- Erin
- georgine
- 5 attendees
Given the exposure on this hike, we will play it by ear, should the weather be threatening.
Sunset: 8:33 pm
Park Curfew: 9:33 pm
Time to get the blood pumping by ridge hiking on sandstone deposited in the Cretaceous Period. You bet Jurassic it's going to be a good time! 😊
CONTACT: Bernard at (303)[masked]
ATTENDEE LIMIT: 14 Hikers per Jefferson County Open Space regulations. We will practice social distancing of at least 6 feet.
SIGN-UP: Please sign up on the Wait List. New members and members with a good attendance percentage will be advanced to the hike roster.Please RSVP yes only if you definitely plan to come. If you change your mind, please update your RSVP. By joining this group you agree to the Policies and Terms of this group.
COVID-19 PROTOCOL: Do not sign up if you:
- are sick with, or have tested positive for COVID-19.
- have been in contact with a person who is sick with, or has tested positive for COVID-19.
- are not feeling well, or have any other infectious disease.
MEET: At the Stegosaurus Parking Lot at 6:30 pm. Hike begins at 6:35 pm. NOTE: There are no restrooms at the trailhead.
DISTANCE/GAIN: 4 mi RT. Elevation gain: 905 ft. (Level: Difficult/Strenuous).
ROUTE
MAP
NOTE: The trail ascends ~285 ft. in the first 0.5 miles.
WHAT TO BRING: Appropriate gear (jacket, water, snacks, headlamp, etc).
DOGS: Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed. Waste must be picked up and deposited into receptacles.
DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. We are not professional guides. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required. Anyone choosing to hike with our group should carry personal health insurance and a CORSAR (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue) card, in case of an emergency.
- Bernard W.
- Barbara
- Ellen S.
- 8 attendees
Hike Deer Creek Canyon Park Wednesday evening starting from the kiosk.
6 mile hike with 1,300' elevation gain.
https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/9368/Deer-Creek-Canyon-Park-Map?bidId=
CONTACT:
Dan (615)[masked]
ATTENDEE LIMIT: 14 Hikers per Jefferson County Open Space regulations:
https://www.jeffco.us/1512/Permits-Reservations
MEET at 6:05 pm, we will start at 6:10 pm SHARP! If you are not on time, you can catch up with the group.
WHAT TO BRING: Typical gear: water, snacks, jacket, etc.
DISTANCE/GAIN: 6 miles with 1,300 ft. elevation gain
DOGS: Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed. Waste must be picked up and deposited into receptacles:
DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. I am not a professional guide. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required. Anyone choosing to hike with our group should carry personal health insurance, and a CORSAR (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue) card (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dola/search-and-rescue-fund), in case of an emergency.5
- Dan M.
- Ivana J.
- Charlie K.
- 14 attendees
Let’s hike Ruby Gulch. Possible stream crossings, wet conditions, and bushwhacking.
All Trails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/ruby-gulch?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
Go Hike Colorado: http://www.gohikecolorado.com/ruby-gulch.html
Distance: RT ~5 miles. Out/back.
Difficultly: Moderate
Elevation: Start: 10,360’. End: 11,831’. Total: ~1747’
Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.82383155822752&lat=39.75186087189465#.Yq-F_HbMLIU
Total hike time: ~3 hrs. Drive from TH to carpool location: ~45 min.
Carpool info: Meet at the Park and Ride Wooly Mammoth lot, section GG at 7:30 a.m. From I70 westbound, take exit 259. Turn right (north), take a left at the next signal.
Link to carpool: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//39.698924,-105.2065426/@39.6991303,-105.2083886,17z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?hl=en
Don’t forget to tip to your driver.
Directions to trailhead: Meet at Ruby Gulch TH no later than 8:15.
From Denver, From I-70 exit at US 40 and follow it through the towns of Empire and Berthoud Falls to "Big Bend," the large switchback before heading up to Berthoud Pass. Exit US 40 at the signs for Big Bend and follow the road towards the Henderson Mine and the Parking area for Jones Pass. Just before the mine, turn left at the sign for Urad. You are now on Woods Creek Road. Follow the good dirt road past the mine's retention ponds. Before too long you'll see a parking area on the right and the gated road just up from the parking area on the left. Park here and walk up to the gated road which is the Ruby Creek Trail.
ATTENDEE LIMIT: 10. If full, RSVP will close on Friday, July 1st @ 6 p.m. Please do NOT show up if you are on the waitlist without contacting me directly. Text/call my mobile (see below).
Pet Owners - Dogs: Well behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed or under strict voice control. Dog owners must clean up after their pets. If you have an aggressive dog that does not get along well with other dogs or chases wildlife, please do not bring your dog.
Your Somali wild ass service animal may not do well at this altitude and is not recommended for this hike. https://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/animal-programs/somali-wild-ass/
What to bring: Be prepared. Rain gear (jacket and pants), hat/beanie, gloves/liners, food & snacks/water, sunscreen, sunglasses, extra clothing/layers, map/compass/gps, toilet paper, zip lock bags, etc. Pack it in, pack it out. Please practice Leave No Trace principles. Link: https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles
Après (post) hike: If weather permits, let’s tailgate after the hike. Bring your favorite beverage and some to share and hors d'oeuvre/snacks/fruit/dessert/blue peanut M&Ms to share, and a folding chair and blanket. I will bring plates, bowls, utensils, napkins, and a small table. I can take two folks in my 4Runner and will bring chairs for them.
Mitch’s mobile:[masked]. Expect no cell service at the TH and on the hike.
DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. I am not a professional guide. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required. And lastly, anyone choosing to hike with our group should carry personal medical insurance and a CORSAR (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue) card (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dola/search-and-rescue-fund) in case of an emergency.
- Mitch
- Sharon
- 2 attendees
Past events (2,232)
- Dan M.
- Carrie D.
- Fariba
- 7 attendees
